Engine starting device



Aug. 25, 1936. 1 WEGLEIN. JR

EGINE STARTING DEVICE Filed July s. 1935 s sheets-shea 1 ,d waa/f M 6W 7 i rlJ 62d.. Wwf 7i 6 MW. I 5mn. w wf i f f a. 7, ji 3 f 0 Z d f 9 0 w Y Aug. 25,1936. L. WEGLEYIN, JR i 2,052f007,

ENGINE STARTING` DEVICE Y.

Filled July 3, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 361. .Z0 /j 35 INVENTOR 7 i EpiK-i1 770W ATTORNEY ug- 25, 1935. L. WEGLEIN, JR 2,052,007

ENGINE START INGv DEVICE Filed July s, 1955 s sheets-sheet :s

INVENTOR ou/.s 42644 E/N, L/

ATTORN EY N Mmm@- Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE zssaoo'x ENGINE STARTING DEVICE Louis Weglcin, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa. Application July 3, 1935, sei-m No. 29,625 s claims. (o1. 18s-39) Myinvention relates to a new and useful engine starting device andit relates more particularly to a spring actuated starting device, in which ja resilient element is utilized for storing energy to be used at will.

extremely light construction, thus adding a minimum to the dead load of the engine.

vMy invention still further relates to a starting device of the character described, which includes novel means for mounting said device with respect to the engine, in connection with which it is to be used, so as to render my starting device -applicable to any type o f support, and whereby the starting mechanism'proper may be swung into and out of operative position at will.

vMy invention still further relates to a starting mechanism which is provided with ,effective safety devices to eliminate all chances of accidental injury to the operator.

My invention still further relates to means for anchoring the resilient element constituting the motive power of the starting device,

whereby all danger of damage-to the spring or with the operation of the latter, for subsequent instantaneous use when such engine shall have stopped. -Y

My invention still further relates to various other novel features of-construction and advantage, all as hereinafter set forth inthe following specification and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 represents a plan view of a starting 55 mechanism embodying my invention.

a nOVel Fig. 2 represents a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents anv end elevation of Fig. 2 showing the starting mechanism applied to the engine, in full lines, and tilted away from the engine, in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 represents a section on line 4-4 ofFig. l.

Fig. 4-A represents on a reduced scale a plan vview of the top of the engine'shown in Fig. 1

v with the starting device removed and other parts omitted.

Fig. 5 represents a plan view of Fig.` 4 with the cover of the casing removed.

Fig. -A represents a fragmentary plan view of one of the pauls seen in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 represents a plan view of Fig. 5 with the l5 winding mechanism removed and certain other v parts omitted.

Fig. 7 represents a bottom plan view of the starting mechanism before it is applied to the .engine certain parts being omitted. 0

Fig. 8 represents a plan view of an adapter 2 plate forming part-of my invention.

Fig. 9 represents a section on line 9--9 of Fig. 7 Fig. 9-A represents a section similar to Fig. 9

yshowing a modied construction.

Fig. 10 represents a plan view on an enlarged 25 scale of one of the pauls seen in Fig, 5. shown detached.

Fig. 11 represents a section on line ll--Il of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 represents Fig. 1.

Fig. 13 represents a section on line I3-I3 of Fig. 12. v

Fig. 14 represents a perspective view on an 35 enlarged scale of a part of the fastening strip used in securing the starting device to the gas tank of the engine or other support.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts, and more particularly to Fign 4, it will be seen that my novel starting mechanism comprises an upper section I adapted to contain the resilient element 2; which is in the form of a springv and lower section 3, which carries means adapted to engage the fly wheel l, or other cranking device of an internal combustion engine, not shown. TheA spring 2 is 3o a section on line l2-I2 o f anchored at its outer end to the post 6 and its inner end is hooked as at'l detachably to engage the cam-faced teeth 8 of the ratchet 9. The teeth 50 .8 of the ratchet 9 are so arranged that, when the ratchet is turned counter-clockwise, the hooked end 'I of the spring 2 will'engage the ratchet as freely over the cam faces of the teeth 8 of the ratchet 9. By this arrangement, which leaves the inner end 1 of the spring 2 free after the unwinding of the spring, all danger of the breakage of the spring, due to violent backlash, is entirely eliminated. In order to enable me to make the spring-enclosing casing I of relatively thin cross section, in the interest of lightness and economy, I provide' the reenforcing ribs II, which extend suiiioiently along the casing wall on either side of the post 6 in order to guard vagainst fatiguing or breaking of the casing I along the section indicated, under the impact of the unwinding opera.- tion of the spring. Fitting within the annular wall of the casing I, and completely covering the spring 2, is the plate I 3 through a central opening in which, the stem I4 of the ratchet 9 projects. The plate I3 is provided with the lugs I5, which are provided with holes registering with corresponding holes in the annular wall of the casing I, to receive the screws or other fastening means I6. The plate I3 is also preferably provided with a hole I1 in one of the lugs I5, to receive the upper end ofthe post 6, thereby to guide and key the plate I3 with respect to the entire assembly.

One of the lugs I5 is also preferably provided with a bottomextension (not shown) which engages the opening I8, further to lock the plate I3 to the assembly of the upper section I. The upper end of the stem I4, of the ratchet 9, is provided with the square portion I9 which engages a, corresponding square hole in the center of the ratchet wheel 20, so that, the turning of the ratchet wheel 20 will result in the turning of the ratchet 9, the engagement of the inner end 1 of the spring 2 with one of the teeth 8 of the ratchet 9, and the consequent winding of the spring 2. In order to turn the ratchet wheel 20 and thus wind the spring 2, I provide the pinion 22, which is provided with the polygonal socket 24, adapted to receive 'the corresponding shaped end 25 of the crank 26. In order to retain the ratchet wheel 20 against unwinding, I provide the dogs or pauls 28 and 30, which are normally pressed against the teeth of the ratchet wheel 20 by the flat springs 32, as best seen in Fig. 5. Secured to the section I, in any suitable manner, and tting over the plate I3, and the parts carried thereby, is the cover plate 35 which is provided with the hub 36 which forms a bearing for the upper end of the stem I4, and which is also provided with the opening 38 registering with and adapted to receive the socket 24 of the pinion 22 and, with the openings 40 and 42, which register with and receive the square sockets 43 of the pauls 28 and 30. In order to wind the spring 2, the end 25 of the wrench 26 is inserted through the opening 38 to engage the socket 24 and turn the pinion 22, engaging the ratchet wheel 20, which engages the inner end of the spring. In order to permit the spring 2 to unwind, the wrench 26 is disengaged from the pinion' 22 and the end 25 thereof, is inserted through one or the other of the openings 40 or 42, to disengage either of the pauls 28 or 30, leaving the other of the pauls still holding the ratchet 20 against rotation. With one of the pauls disengaged, the other paul is then also disengaged, whereupon, the ratchet wheel 20 is free to rotate and thus permits the spring 2 to unwind freely.'

the position shown in Fig. 5 a, due to the pressure of the spring on the stem of the paul, and in which the paul clears the teeth of the ratchet wheel 20, so that the latter is free to rotate. The stem I4 projects downwardly through the hub 45 of the lower section 3 and is rigidly secured to the lower section 3 so that, when the ratchet 9 is turned, the section 3 will turn with it, whether the turning is due to the winding or unwinding of the spring 2. On the top of the engine is provided any suitable hub or socket 44 which forms a journal for the lower end of the stem I4 and which aids in centralizing the starting device with respect to the engine. In the pendant, annular wall of the lower section 3, I provide the loosely pivoted trailing pauls 48, which have the lower hooked ends 49, which register with the openings 46, in the sheave wheel 41, of the ily wheel 4 of the engine. In Fig. 4--A I show the conventional ropeengaging openings 46, which are enlarged at their 20 of the engine. The sheave wheel 41, illustrated, 30

is provided with lthe customary groove 50, which is 'adapted to receive the conventional starting rope, which can be used in the usual manner independently of my starting mechanism, or in the absence of the latter. While the trailing pauls 48 are adequate for use in the horizontal position, it is obvious that they will not work satisfactorily in a vertical position, and for that purpose I have provided the auxiliary holes 52 which are adapted to receive the spring pressed pauls 53, best seen in Fig. 9-A. The spring pressed pauls 53 are also provided with the bottom hooked ends 54, which are deected away from the openings 46, so that, they will not engage the holes when the casing 3 is turned in counter-clockwise direction, but so that they will engage said holes when the casing 3 turns in a clockwise direction during the unwinding of the spring 2. The use of the pauls 48 or 53 is optional according to the vertical or horizontal position of the sheave wheel 41. In order to mount my starting device conveniently, I have provided a novel arrangement which consists of the cross bar 60 which is provided with the arms 6|, which have the threaded bosses 62 which are adapted to engage the wing bolts 63. Cooperating with the cross bar 60 is another cross bar 65, which carries the lugs 66 which are open, as at 61, to receive the shank of the wing bolts 63. I'he outer ends of the cross bar 65 are knurled or serrated to receive and engage the correspondingly knurled ends 10 of the clamps 1I, the bottom ends of which are adapted to engage the ends of the bottom strap 12. The ends of the bottom strap 12 are provided with the vertical flanges 'I3 which bear against the' clamps 1I, and are also provided with the seats I5 to receive and engage the ends of the bolts 16, which pass through the threaded bosses 11 at the lower ends of the clamps 1I. The strap 12 is made of two or more sections which are stapled together, as at 19, to permit adjustment of the length of the strap to the size of the gas tank of the engine, or other support to which the starting device may be secured, it being understood that the strap 12 is not only adjustable. but is also nexibie to permit it to con form to the contour of the gas tank or other support 88. Extending from the cross bar 651s a leather strap or other` cushioning device 82, which forms a cushioned support for the starting device when the latter is tilted off the motor on to the gas tank or other support 88 as shown in Fig. 3."

It will bevunderstood that when the starting device is tilted, it pivots about the shank of the wing bolts 68 in the lugs 66, as best shown in Fig. 3.

If desired, I may utilize a packing |83: which is preferably-positioned between any two adjacent reenforcing ribs Il to form an adjustable bearing for the spring 2, as best seen in Fig. 6. The

deflection of the vertical iianges 13 of the strap 12 into the position shown above in Fig. 14 leaves I i the projecting ends 14 between which the clamps 1l are engaged, as best seen at the bottom of Fig. 2, whereby added firmness and strength is imparted to the clamping arrangement by which or other support 88. In order to render my starting device applicable to any internal combustion engine, other than that illustrated in Fig. 1, that is, one in which the sheave wheel 41 with the openings 46 thereof is omitted, I utilize the adapter plate 84 (shown in plan in Fig. 8) which is suitably secured to the ily wheel, or other cranking mechanism of such an internal combustion engine, the holes 85 in the adapter plate 84 serving to engage the pauls 48 or 53 in exactly the nanner hereinabove described in connection with the construction illustrated. In Figs. 2 and 4,' I have shown the pauls 48 in engagement with the holes .46 in the sheave wheell 41, and in Fig. 3, I have shown the pauls 48 out of engagement with the holes 46. The clamps 1I may each be made of one piece, or they may be made of two sections secured together by any fastening devices 88 engaging the spaced holes 88 whereby the clamps 1l can be adjusted for engagement with gas tanks l adjuncts. By means of the socket wrench 26 the shaft 24 is engaged and turned to wind the spring 2. During the winding of the spring 2 the free inner-end 1 thereof engages one of the teeth 8 of the ratchet 8, but when the spring 2 'is unwound the endV 1 thereof at once disengages from the ratchet 8 thus preventing the breaking of the spring due to violent back-lash.l During the unwinding of the spring the pauls 28 and 38 are set to engage the gear 28 to prevent unwinding. The unit is wound up and put in the tilted position shown in Fig. 3, or away from the engine. When it is desired to start the engine, it is merely lnecessary to bring the starting device from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 to the position shown in solidlines in Fig. 2 to engage the intermediate revolubleelement 3, which in turn has the pauls 48 or 53 which, when'the spring 2 is unwound, will engage the cranking element. In order to release the spring, and crank the engine, the socket-wrench 28 iirst engages one or the other of the square-shafts '|43 to Adisengage one of the pauls 28 or 38 from the gear 28, whereupon the spring 32 bearing upon the corresponding cam 4I will retain the dog or paul 28 or 38 in its disen- ,E'ging position (shown Figs. 5 and 8). With V operative position with respect to said engine, and

`one of the pauls thus disengaged, the socket' for extreme safety since, while it may be possible accidentally to disengage a single paul, it will certainly take positive and deliberate action to disengage both.

In order to render my device adaptable to all engines I utilize the adapter plate. shown in Fig. 8, which may be suitably secured to the cranking element of any engine regardless of the shape orposition-of said cranking element, and which has the holes calculated to engage the pauls 48 or 53 carried by the revoluble element 3. It will further be seen that, if one of the pauls 48 or 53 breaks, it is merely necessary to remove the retaining cutter-pin and put another one in its place without the aid of a mechanic, and only at the cost of the price of apaul.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat- .25 ent is:

1. The combination with a starting device for an internal combustion engine of means for detachably andtiltably fastening said starting device in proximity to said engine whereby said 30 starting device may be brought into or out of operative position with respect to said engine.

2. The combination with a starting device for an internal combustion engine of adjustable means for detachably and tiltably fastening said 35 starting device in proximity to said engine, whereby. said starting device may be brought into or 'out of operative position with respect to said enlgine.

45 means for cushioning Vsaid starting device in its tilted position away from said engine'.

4. The combination with a starting device for an internal combustion engine having pauls for engaging the cranking element of said engine of an adapter plate adapted to be secured onto the cranking element of said engine and havingv holes therein adapted to engage said pauls during the operation of said starting device.

5. A starting device for an internal combustion engine comprising a casing, a spring inclosed in 6. A starting device for an internal combus- 65 tion engine comprising a casing, a spring inclosed in said casing, a ratchet adapted to be automatically engaged by the inner end of said spring during the winding operation thereof, and to be automatically disengaged from the inner end of 70 said spring after the spring is completely un-I wound to prevent breakage of said spring due to the violent backlash which invariably follows the sudden release of the energy stored in said spring.

7. A starting device lfor an internal combus- 2 tion engine comprising an upper fixed casing, a spring therein, means -Ior winding said spring, a ratchet element detachably engaging the inner end of said spring and freely rotatable with respect to said upper casing, a lower revoluble section rigidly secured to the lower end of said ratchet, means carried by said lower revoluble section for engaging the cranking element of saidengine only during the unwinding of said spring, and independently operable safety devices for preventing the accidental unwinding of said spring.

8. A starting device for an internal combustion engine comprising an upper fixed casing, a

ratchet element detachably engaging the inner end oi said spring and freely rotatable with respect to said upper casing, a lower revoluble section rigidly secured to the lower end of said ratchet, means carried by said lower revoluble section for engaging the cranking element of said 'engine only during the unwinding of said spring, independently operable safety devices for preventing the accidental unwinding of said spring, and means for retaining each of said safety devices in its operative or its inoperative position. LOUIS WEGLEIN, Jn. 

